Support apparatus with ground penetrating base

ABSTRACT

Support apparatus are provided for secure engagement with a ground surface regardless of the slope of the ground surface. The support apparatus comprises a base portion configured and disposed for securely and removably engaging a ground surface, a support portion comprising a first end adjacently connected to the base portion and an opposite second end adjacently connected to a top portion. Preferably, the top portion comprises handle means, and the base portion comprises at least two anchors and a bridge, the bridge configured and disposed to receive and transmit a user force sufficient to drive the anchors into a ground surface. Methods of using the apparatus are also provided.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of Applicants' prior provisional application, No. 62/761,245, filed on Mar. 15, 2018.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The technology described and claimed herein relates to the general field of portable support apparatus, and has certain specific application to portable support apparatus for use where a penetrable ground surface exists, such as where dirt, turf, or mud exists, whether outdoors or indoors.

Known portable support apparatus include the tables described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,705,240 and 8,573,138. A common feature among such tables is the use of just one or two connected ground-penetrating spikes that are simply an extension of a vertical table leg. Similarly, known temporary portable apparatus include real estate yard signs that are simple rectangular frames having opposed parallel top and bottom horizontal members that are connected by two opposed vertical side members, with the two side members each including a pointed leg portion that extends below the bottom horizontal frame member to provide for penetrating ground contact. When the pointed leg portions are each pressed into a ground surface, the legs support the sign in a vertical position. However, in each of these prior art examples, due to the minimal penetrating ground contact points provided, such signs and tables are easily toppled or leaned by wind, impacts, softening of ground by rain, and other forces. Such tables and signs are also unsuitable for installing on sloped ground surfaces.

For all these reasons, there remains an unmet need for a support apparatus that can be easily installed and removed in a wide variety of sloped ground surfaces, and that remains in stable contact with a flat or sloped ground surface and in a desired substantially vertical position despite the application of external forces such as wind, gravity, contact with moving items, and by the weight of umbrellas, signage, or other items supported by the portable support structure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The instant inventions relate to the general field of portable structures, and have certain specific application to portable supportive stands that can be repeatedly and removably engaged by a user into a land surface such as turf, topsoil, or other similar surfaces.

In an embodiment, a support apparatus comprises a base portion configured and disposed for securely and removably engaging a ground surface, and a support portion comprising a first end adjacently connected to the base portion and an opposite second end adjacently connected to a top portion, the top portion comprising handle means. Preferably, the base portion comprises a bridge and at least two anchors, the anchors projecting downward away from the bridge, and the bridge is configured and disposed to receive and transmit a user force to the anchors sufficient to drive the anchors into a ground surface. Most preferably, the base portion further comprises at least one blade, the blade disposed below the bridge and configured for penetrating and engaging a ground surface to add stability to the apparatus when installed on the ground surface.

In another embodiment, a support apparatus comprises a base portion configured and disposed for securely and removably engaging a ground surface, a support portion comprising a first end adjacently connected to the base portion and an opposite second end adjacently connected to a top portion, the top portion comprising handle means, wherein the base portion comprises at least two anchors, and a bridge, the bridge configured and disposed to receive and transmit a user force to the anchors sufficient to drive the anchors into a ground surface, and wherein the handle means and the blade are configured and disposed in a coplanar orientation. Optionally, the base portion further comprises a blade portion, the blade portion disposed below the bridge and configured for engaging and penetrating a ground surface.

Further provided are methods of installing the support apparatus, comprising the steps of contacting the anchors to a ground surface, followed by application of downward force onto a handle and a onto a bridge of the apparatus, such force applied simultaneously with a rocking of the apparatus within the plane of the handles and bridge so as to cause the anchors and a blade of the apparatus to penetrate the ground surface to a desired depth.

Accordingly, an object of this invention is to provide for a novel multi-purpose support apparatus for use on any penetrable ground surface. Another object is to provide a multi-purpose support apparatus suitable for anchoring attachments such as tables, umbrellas, pets, and other accessories regardless of the slope of the ground surface.

Other objects will become apparent upon a reading of the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a first embodiment of the support apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of a second embodiment of the support apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of another embodiment of the support apparatus according to the present invention,

FIG. 7 is a front is a front elevational view of another embodiment of the support apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of an installation method for use of the support apparatus according to the present invention

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of an embodiment of the support apparatus of the present invention, showing the attachment of a table top to an adjustable connector, and support of an umbrella as an additional attachment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following is a detailed description of exemplary embodiments to illustrate the principles of the invention. The embodiments are provided to illustrate aspects of the invention, but the invention is not limited to any embodiment. The scope of the invention encompasses numerous alternatives, modifications and equivalent; it is limited only by the claims. Numerous specific details are set forth in the following description in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, the invention may be practiced according to the claims without some or all of these specific details. For the purpose of clarity, technical material that is known in the technical fields related to the invention has not been described in detail so that the invention is not unnecessarily obscured.

The apparatus of the present invention is comprised of a supporting framework that can be easily and removably mounted into a variety of penetrable ground surfaces. Installation is made simpler than any prior art device by the inclusion of a handle portion and a force-receiving bridge portion, as further described and shown herein.

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The support apparatus 100 generally comprises a top portion 20 connected to a middle portion 30, the middle portion 20 being adjacently connected to a base portion 30. The base portion 30 is configured and disposed to penetrate and contact a ground surface 200. When installed by a user, the apparatus 100 is securely positionable in a desired orientation and position, preferably a substantially upright position, and is capable of withstanding external forces such as wind, weight of supported and contacting items such as umbrellas and attachments such as signs and table surfaces. The apparatus 100 is positionable in that user-selected desired position regardless of the slope of the ground surface 200. This feature is made possible by the configuration and disposition of the base portion 30.

As shown, the base portion 30 comprises at least two anchors 32 that are configured and disposed for penetrating the ground surface 200. As shown in FIG. 1, the anchors 32 do not need to be continuous extensions of any legs 22 that may comprise the middle portion 20. Rather, as shown in FIG. 1, FIGS. 3-5, and FIG. 7, The anchors 32 can be provided and positioned in a stance that is wider than the legs 22, or alternatively in a stance narrower than the legs 22. In the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1 and FIGS. 3-5, the anchors 32 are connected to a force bridge 40, though anchors 32 and bridge 40 can be separate and not in contact with each other. The force bridge 40 is configured and disposed to receive and transmit force, such as the downward force of a user's foot stepping on the top surface 42 of the bridge 40. The top surface 42 therefore preferably comprises a surface wide enough to comfortably receive a user's foot, and/or wide enough to serve as an anvil surface for striking with a hammer or other tool to drive the anchors 32 into the ground surface 200.

In each embodiment, a ground contact blade 50 is provided. The function of the blade 50 is to penetrate the ground surface 200 and thereby provide stabilizing support to the support apparatus 100. The blade 50 provides additional contact area between the base portion 30 and the ground surface 200. For example, upon insertion of the anchors 32 into a ground surface 200, the blade 50 also penetrates and contacts the ground surface 200. In this manner, the blade 50 provides stability against leaning, tipping, and also against rotation of the apparatus 200 around a center vertical axis A-A of the apparatus 100. As further shown in FIGS. 3-5, each blade 50 is preferably provided in a coplanar orientation with the anchors 32, and preferably also coplanar with the handles 12 provided in the top portion 10 or middle portion 20. In a most preferred embodiment, the support apparatus 100 comprises a coplanar orientation among the anchors 32, bridge 40, blade 50, legs 22, and handles 12, making the apparatus slim and stackable. In a preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 9 including attachment means 70 for a table 60 and use of an umbrella support 14, the apparatus is between 12 and 40 inches in height from tip of anchors 32 to the top of top portion 10. However, depending upon the nature and size of items supported, the apparatus can be far larger or smaller, ranging from millimeters to yards in total height and width.

Returning to the figures, as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 1 and FIGS. 3-5, the blade 50 can be juxtaposed between each anchor 32 and below the force bridge 40. However, while the blade 50 and bridge 40 can be contiguous, they need not be in contact with one another, and can be completely separate in some embodiments. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the blade 50 comprises a bottom edge 52, here including serrated teeth 54, with the blade 50 entirely disposed between the two anchors 32. However, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 7, one or more blades 50 can alternatively or additionally be provided in adjacent connection with an anchor 32 and/or a force bridge 40 to provide a stabilizing force, and preferably an anti-rotational force when installed into a ground surface 200.

In experiments, the inventor has found that the height of the blade 50 extending from its bottom edge 52 upward towards the middle portion 20, and the depth to which the bottom edge 52 is plunged into a ground surface 200, significantly affect the stability of the apparatus 100 when placed in sloped ground surfaces 200, and also when subjected to external forces after installation into a ground surface 200. Moreover, the blade 50 provides a unique advantage in installing the apparatus 100 into a ground surface 200, and it surprisingly pushes rocks and other obstacles beneath the ground surface 200 aside easily, especially when using the installation methods herein.

For example, as shown in FIG. 8, when installing the embodiments wherein the blade 50 is disposed in a coplanar orientation with the anchors 32 and handles 12, a preferred method allows the apparatus 100 to be rocked side to side within that plane by a user who has placed a hand on each handle 12 and at least one foot onto the force bridge 40. In this manner, much like a two-handled pizza cutter, the user sequentially and repeatedly applies rocking forces F^(A) to create a coplanar rocking motion while also exerting, whether intermittently or continuously or simultaneously, a downward force F^(B) on the handles 12 with hands and on the bridge 40 with a foot, to force the anchors 32 and bottom edge 52 to penetrate and slice through the ground surface 200, going deeper with every rocking cycle. In another method of installation, a user can grasp handles 12 and place one or both feet on the bridge 40 and stand on the bridge top surface 42, then rock the device side to side in the coplanar motion to drive the anchors 32 and blade 50 into the ground surface 200 to a desired depth, such as to the point where bridge 40 top surface 42 is substantially at the top level of the ground surface 200 proximate the apparatus 100.

Removal of the apparatus 100 from the ground surface 200 is surprisingly simple and easy due to the handles 12. Preferred removal methods utilize the coplanar rocking motion previously described and shown in FIG. 8, but with a user exerting upward force (instead of downward force F^(B) on the handles 12 upward and away from the ground surface 200. Additionally or alternatively, upward force can be applied to the base portion 30, such as by a pick axe, shovel, wire, or other force application means. In an embodiment shown in FIG. 1-2, tether members 24 are provided to allow attachment of a wire, rope, stick, rod, or other force application means to exert an upward force for removal of the apparatus 100 from the ground surface 200. Tether members 24 can also be used during installation as anchor points for pet leashes and other items requiring tethering or stabilized support, including for tethering of items attached to the apparatus 100 such as umbrellas and tables whether by flexible means such as wires or ropes, or by rigid means such as connecting rods connecting the tether 24 to the supported device(s).

As shown in FIG. 9, preferred embodiments of the apparatus 100 include attachment features such as an umbrella holder 14 that, while shown as part of the top portion 10, can be attached to any other portion of the apparatus 100, including the support 20 or base 30, to provide. Other attachments can include a connector 70 for adjustable connection of a table 60. Preferably, connector 70 is adjustable to permit support of the table 60 in any position and plane, independent of the slope of the ground surface 200 and independent of the vertical plane formed by the handles 12, support legs 22 and blade 50 of the installed apparatus 100.

While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made, and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A support apparatus comprising a base portion configured and disposed for securely and removably engaging a ground surface, a support portion comprising a first end adjacently connected to the base portion and an opposite second end adjacently connected to a top portion, the top portion comprising handle means.
 2. The support apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base portion comprises a bridge and at least two anchors, the anchors projecting downward away from the bridge, and wherein the bridge is configured and disposed to receive and transmit a user force to the anchors sufficient to drive the anchors into a ground surface.
 3. The support apparatus of claim 2, wherein the base portion further comprises at least one blade, the blade disposed below the bridge and configured for penetrating and engaging a ground surface to add stability to the apparatus when installed on the ground surface.
 4. The support apparatus of claim 3, wherein the bridge further includes a top surface configured for engaging a user's foot to receive and transmit user force to the anchors and the blade portion.
 5. The support apparatus of claim 4, wherein the blade includes a bottom edge configured and disposed for penetrating a ground surface.
 6. The support apparatus of claim 5, wherein the bottom edge includes at least 2 teeth.
 7. The support apparatus of claim 1, wherein the handle portion and the blade are configured and disposed in a coplanar orientation.
 8. The support apparatus of claim 1, further comprising attachment means for attaching and adjustably positioning a table top surface to the apparatus.
 9. The support apparatus of claim 8, wherein the attachment means is configured and disposed to allow a user to position the table top in a horizontal plane regardless of the slope of a ground surface upon which the apparatus is installed.
 10. The support apparatus of claim 9, wherein the top surface of the table portion is substantially planar, and wherein the adjustment means permits the plane of the top surface to be selectively moved and fixed into desired positions from 0-90 degrees from horizontal.
 11. The support apparatus of claim 5, wherein the handle portion and the blade are configured and disposed in a coplanar orientation.
 12. The support apparatus of claim 11, further comprising attachment means for attaching and adjustably positioning a table top surface to the apparatus.
 13. The support apparatus of claim 12 wherein the attachment means is configured and disposed to allow a user to position the table top in a horizontal plane regardless of the slope of a ground surface upon which the apparatus is installed.
 14. The support apparatus of claim 13, wherein the top surface of the table portion is substantially planar, and wherein the adjustment means permits the plane of the top surface to be selectively moved and fixed into desired positions from 0-90 degrees from horizontal.
 15. A support apparatus comprising a base portion configured and disposed for securely and removably engaging a ground surface, a support portion comprising a first end adjacently connected to the base portion and an opposite second end adjacently connected to a top portion, the top portion comprising handle means, wherein the base portion comprises at least two anchors, and a bridge, the bridge configured and disposed to receive and transmit a user force to the anchors sufficient to drive the anchors into a ground surface, and wherein the handle means and the blade are configured and disposed in a coplanar orientation.
 16. The support apparatus of claim 15, wherein the base portion further comprises a blade portion, the blade portion disposed below the bridge and configured for engaging and penetrating a ground surface.
 17. The support apparatus of claim 16, wherein the bridge further includes a top surface configured for engaging a user's foot to receive and transmit user force to the anchors and the blade portion.
 18. The support apparatus of claim 17, wherein the blade includes a bottom edge configured and disposed for penetrating a ground surface.
 19. The support apparatus of claim 18, further comprising attachment means for attaching and adjustably positioning a table top surface to the apparatus.
 20. A method of installing the support apparatus of claim 15, comprising the steps of contacting the anchors to a ground surface, followed by application of downward force onto a handle and a onto a bridge of the apparatus, such force applied simultaneously with a rocking of the apparatus within the plane of the handles and bridge so as to cause the anchors and a blade of the apparatus to penetrate the ground surface to a desired depth. 